Our team loves the ability to order takeout food from select Disney resort hotel restaurants via mobile ordering. It’s a great way to enjoy some of Disney’s delectable food from select table service restaurants without having to actually dine at the restaurant. Many folks are looking for ways to dine outside in the interest of safety, and this is a great option. You do not have to be staying at the resort to do the mobile ordering to-go.

Our team recently visited Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort to scope out the beautiful holiday decorations. And doing so gave a nice chance to try out the new takeout option via mobile ordering at Three Bridges Bar and Grill. The interesting thing about Three Bridges is that it is an outdoor bar and grill. With this in mind, the takeout options seems somewhat unnecessary, but being able to do mobile order takeout food allows guests to enjoy their food in whatever space they feel comfortable. Our team found there to be lots of seating options in the area, with great views.

 

The menu at Three Bridges Bar and Grill has a nice variety of small plates, entrees, and desserts that have fresh, vibrant flavors. The cuisine is internationally inspired rather than focusing just on Central American flavors. Our team ordered Braised Pork Tacos and Warm Churros. The Braised Pork Tacos has radish and carrot slaw, salsa verde, and Cojita cheese served with smoked paprika fries or fruit. For $14.00 the order came with three tacos and a nice serving of smoked paprika fries. This is just about the same price as some quick service meals in the parks, but so much better. It was a nice touch that the to-go container had a separate section for the side. This was a very satisfying meal, and a pretty good value.

The Warm Churros for $9.00 are served with chocolate sauce. These churros are slightly elevated with espelette sugar, which is a spice blend originating in France. It has a warm, bold flavor with mild heat, and tastes a little more sophisticated than the standard theme park churros. And, the serving of seven small churros was very generous.

In total our meal came to $23.00 before tax and was very satisfying. It’s not surprising that our meal was great, Three Bridges is currently rating number 35 out of 109 table service options at Walt Disney World, according to our readers. With plenty of outdoor seating throughout Coronado Springs Resort getting take out from Three Bridges via the MyDisneyExperience app is a convenient way to have a socially distant meal that is still full of quality.

Have you tried mobile ordering for takeout food from some of Disney’s resort restaurants? Which restaurant do you hope is next?

The post REVIEW – Mobile Ordering Takeout from Three Bridges Bar and Grill appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Dining, Resorts, disney dining, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

For years, thrill rides have been the name of the theme park game. In fact, before COVID-19, Disney World had begun construction on two new coasters – Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind for EPCOT and TRON Lightcycle Run for the Magic Kingdom. However, not everyone loves coasters or thrill rides. In fact, there are many Disney guests out there who feel sudden drops, dizzying heights, and high speeds are anything but magical.

So for my fellow Disney ride chickens, I’ve created a ranking system to help you know what to expect and maybe what to avoid when compiling your Animal Kingdom touring plan.

I’m breaking down the different elements of a ride that may be a little scary or extreme, such as drops, height, darkness, and speed. I’m also using a simple 1 to 3 scale with 1 being less intense and a 3 being the most intense.

Avatar Flight of Passage

Flight of Passage is a flight simulator attraction where guests experience the sensation of flight on the back of a banshee over and through the breathtaking landscapes of Pandora. Flight of Passage is often compared to EPCOT’s Soarin’ Around the World as it effectively simulates the feeling of flight and uses a giant screen coupled with scents and water effects. But what makes Flight of Passage unique from Soarin’ Around the World is its use of 3-D coupled with unique bike-style ride vehicles.

It is a difficult attraction to rate since it’s sort of a thrill ride and sorta not. The feeling of flight is definitely thrilling, and there are some close calls in the ride film, but I can’t say the ride is scary. I think it helps that, despite the massive screen and your 3-D glasses, you’re subconsciously aware that you’re not actually moving or up in the air and that takes aware a lot of the fear.

Also, the overall tone, along with the ride’s score, is  positive, triumphant, and even peaceful at times. The typical Disney ride formula where something goes wrong is absent so there isn’t that sense of alarm.

The ride vehicle definitely plays a part in how comfortable or uncomfortable guests feel on Flight of Passage. Some guests don’t like being isolated to their own bike or even riding in that position. Also, the restraints have been known to make some uncomfortable. On the other hand, other guests find that the restraints make them feel secure. It’s really dependant on the rider.

Height Rating: 2

Since the ride film depicts flight, you can expect the ride film to include a lot of heights. If you can handle Soarin,’ you can probably handle the heights in this attraction. I will add, however, that the rows of bikes are positioned on multiple floors; and if you look away from the screen and either far to the left or the right, you will notice other riders on bikes at various floor levels. Knowing you could be on a high floor may cause some uneasiness.

Claustrophobic Rating: 2

Once aboard your bike, restraints will come up against the back of your legs and your back to keep you secure during your ride. They do apply some pressure for optimal safety; but some guests find the pressure coupled with being locked in place claustrophobic.

DINOSAUR

DINOSAUR is a dark, thrilling hybrid of a dark ride and simulator where guests are tasked to travel back in time in a Time Rover to rescue a dinosaur before an asteroid hits the earth.

Many guests consider DINOSAUR to be the scariest ride in the park, and I’m one of them. This ride is very dark, very loud, very rough and jerky, and many of the audio-animatronics, including the hangry Carnotaurus, are legit scary. Still, there are no major drops or high speeds.

Darkness Rating: 3

As I said, this ride is very dark. Steer clear if this isn’t your thing.

Intensity Rating: 3

This rating isn’t because of any drops, inversions, or high speeds; it’s simply because of the scary nature of the ride. This is one where you need to know what your kids can handle before taking them on it.

Motion Sickness Rating: 2

Because this ride is so rough with plenty of up and down movements, motion sickness may be an issue for some.

Expedition Everest

Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain is Animal Kingdom’s take on a runaway train coaster in a mountain. Think of it as a combo of Disneyland’s Matterhorn and the Magic Kingdom’s Big Thunder Mountain. This highly detailed coaster takes guests in and out of the snowy Forbidden Mountain to escape the legendary Yeti!

This coaster is the perfect blend of fun and thrill coupled with some of the best of Disney’s signature storytelling. There are no inversions, but you can expect a number of significant drops, high speeds, and an appearance from the Yeti.

Darkness Rating: 1.5

This coaster takes you in and out of the Forbidden Mountain so there’s a balanced mix of darkness and sunshine.

Drop Rating: 2.5

Expedition Everest offers several drops with the biggest at about 80″. They will take your stomach, but they don’t feel as intense as they look or as you might expect. Some guests, including myself, actually find that Splash Mountain’s drop feels more intense than Expedition Everest!

Height Rating:

Since the drops come so quickly, you don’t have much time to realize how high up you are. However, that slow climb up the lift hill at the beginning of the ride offers a spectacular literal birds-eye view of Disney property and the park below. If heights aren’t your thing, be warned about looking down or around during this part of the ride.

Intensity Rating: 1.5

This may be controversial, but I don’t find Expedtion Everest as scary or intense as some other Disney attractions. It’s a massive attraction and looks extreme, but guests tend to walk away thinking more about the story and experience than its thrill factor.

With that being said, the coaster does go backwards at one point; and some may be alarmed by the giant Yeti reaching down at guests towards the end of the ride. For those concerned about this element, keep in mind that the encounter with the Yeti happens so quickly that some guests miss it completely.

Motion Sickness Rating: 2.5

While the coaster is an overall smooth ride, there are some rough moments and sharp turns. The main motion sickness trigger however is definitely the rapid backwards motion.

Speed Rating: 2.5

Expedition Everest’s top speed is 50 mph, but it doesn’t maintain that speed throughout the experience. In fact, the first half of the ride is a slow climb; and the coaster stops completely at more than one point during the ride.

It’s Tough to be a Bug!

It’s Tough to Be a Bug is a 3-D/multi-sensory show starring Flik from Disney Pixar’s film A Bug’s Life. Through the use of a 3-D screen, audio-animatronics, and effects, Flik and other bugs attempt to demonstrate the importance of bugs, but also that it’s really tough to be one!

Darkness Rating: 3

There are moments of darkness during this show. What really tends to bother people is the darkness coupled with the implied presence of bugs.

Intensity Rating: 2.5

Believe it or not, this show truly terrifies people and especially kids. A large audio-animatronic Hopper from A Bugs Life makes an appearance, spiders lower down from the ceiling over the audience, and guests are sprayed with a giant can of bug spray. Plus, sensory effects are used to simulate both the presence and movement of bugs. Be sure to know what your kids can handle before checking out this show.

Kali River Rapids

Kali River Rapids is a whitewater raft ride through a lush Asian rainforest where guests eventually encounter the dangers of a logging site.

Drop Rating: 1

Kali River Rapids is shorter than most guests expect and a little anti-climatic. The biggest drop is 30″ and more of a downward slide.

Motion Sickness Rating: 2

The Kali River Rapids rafts spin and bob up and down in the waves. While it doesn’t aggravate some who experience motion sickness, the motion of this ride is something to be aware of and consider.

Are you a ride chicken when it comes to Disney attractions? Which Animal Kingdom ride would you recommend for guests looking to avoid thrills?

The post A Ride Chicken’s Guide to Animal Kingdom Attractions appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Attractions, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, animal kingdom attractions, Avatar, Dinosaur, Disney Attractions, Disney Thrill Rides, disney world, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Expedition Everest, Flight of Passage, Its Tough to Be a Bug, kid-friendly rides, pandora, Pandora-The World of Avatar, ride chickens, thrill rides, walt disney world

Since October 1 we have collected over 164,000 wait times across the four Disney World parks. Overall the average posted wait times at Magic Kingdom (27 mins) and EPCOT (26 mins)  are about the same compared to the same time period in 2019 (28 and 26 mins, respectively), but that is not the case for Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. At the Studios the average posted wait time is 41 mins compared to 31 mins in 2019. At Animal Kingdom we see the opposite, a 27 minute average wait time this year and 40 minutes last year. It seems reasonable that Hollywood Studios is the bigger draw lately with Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Train, Galaxy’s Edge, and the still popular Toy Story Land.

Although the average posted times are similar pretty much everything else is different. Park schedules, attendance limits, social distancing measures, and closed attractions are making touring plans look a lot different this year. Let’s see how the Crowd Calendar did in the last 30 days.

Magic Kingdom

Crowd levels at Magic Kingdom continue to stay below a crowd level ‘5’, averaging 1.8 during the last 30 days. The average of our predicted crowd levels during that time was 2.5, slightly higher than what we observed. It is rare for our models to predict a crowd level ‘1’ since that implies a near-empty park, but Magic Kingdom did hit that level several times in the last 30 days. Our touring plan testers are still seeing gains by following the plan however, with at least 30 minutes a day saved compared to the ‘wander and ride’ approach. This is true even on the least crowded days.

EPCOT

The average at EPCOT was 2.5 thanks to several days that reached a crowd level ‘6’ on our scale. The average predicted was 3.4. We had predicted several days would reach a crowd level ‘7’ but that never happened. Posted wait times are clearly higher on weekends at EPCOT with all of the ‘6’s and ‘7’s falling on weekends and all the ‘1’s and ‘2’s during the week.

Hollywood Studios

At Hollywood Studios we observed an average crowd level of 1.8 in the last 30 days which is a half-point lower than what we predicted during that time (2.3). A level ‘3’ is the maximum level reached at the Studios and we never predicted a level higher than that. The crowd level ‘3’ occurred twice in the last 30 days, both on a Wednesday which feels more like a coincidence than a pattern.

Animal Kingdom

Crowd levels at Animal Kingdom were the lowest of the four parks and the most accurate on the Crowd Calendar. We saw an average level of 1.4 and we predicted an average of 1.3. Posted waits at Animal Kingdom attractions do seem to be slightly higher on weekends but the difference isn’t large. Animal Kingdom saw the most crowd level ‘1’s of the four parks in the last 30 days.

We are very curious about the crowd levels during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. We think crowds will hit their highest levels since Labor Day and we are hoping that our observations will help us adjust our predictions for holidays in the near future like Christmas, Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January, and Presidents Day in February. Obviously, these are strange times and a lot can change in the next 90 days. We will be watching closely and preparing to make adjustments to the Crowd Calendar predictions as needed. The next update to the calendar will come early in December.

Have any questions for the Crowd Calendar crew? Let us know in the comments.

The post Disney World Crowd Calendar Mid-Month Update for November 2020 appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Crowd Blog, Walt Disney World (FL), Crowd Calendar

This week’s SATURDAY SIX takes a look at the holiday celebration at the Universal Orlando Resort! With the coronavirus playing havoc with the theme park calendar this year, a couple months ago it was uncertain whether the Florida parks would even have much of an effort at bringing Christmas to the theme parks to close out the year. We’ve all seen the quarterly earnings report with both Disney and Universal losing hundreds of millions of dollars. Thousands of theme park Cast Members and Team Members are still currently out of work (to find out how you can help, CLICK HERE). Projects were stalled if not outright cancelled. It seemed like we were doomed to a “death by a thousand paper cuts.”

Then something amazing happened. Universal went forward with a modified version of Halloween Horror Nights. While Disney was letting entertainment go left and right, Universal was bringing more entertainment in. For the first time in a while, things for a theme park fan were looking up.

For many guests, the Christmas season at the theme parks is the most special time of the entire year. Decorations are up, Christmas music is playing over the speakers, and both Disney and Universal do an incredible job with their annual events like Mickey’s Very Merry and Grinchmas. For these “unprecedented times,” a lot of what we loved in the past can’t be done right now. The good news is that – with a little creativity – Universal Orlando was able to put a gift under our Christmas tree after all…

Today we’re going to take a look at the holiday celebration, and we’ll kick it off with…

# 6 – Voodoo Doughnut

We’re running out of superlatives to describe our favorite bakery at Universal, as Voodoo Doughnut once again has come through with some wonderful Christmas themed offerings. In previous years, Voodoo has had donuts themed to Santa Claus and the Grinch, and for 2020 they have two Snowman donuts along with an ornament donut.

Let’s get a close-up of these beauties…

The filling inside the head of the snowman is white chocolate mocha cream.

While the body is filled with chocolate peppermint cream.

The ornament is filled with gingerbread cream cheese and tastes as good as it sounds. One of Voodoo’s best ever tasting seasonal offerings.

Hard to get better than themed donuts, but this year Universal introduced The Holiday Treat Trail! We’ve seen similar gimmicks like this over at Disney, including at EPCOT and Disney Springs. If guests purchase five qualifying treats at various locations around Universal, they are rewarded with another snack. Talk about the gift that keeps on giving!

The map features a look at Universal CityWalk and the two theme parks, and has a place on the side for guests to get a stamp after their purchase.

A bottle of Cinnamon Coke can be purchased at several locations throughout the parks and CityWalk.

Red Holiday Popcorn can be purchased at the popcorn cart near The Incredible Hulk Coaster in Marvel Superhero Island.

This Pumpkin Spice Churro is available at the Production Central cart in Universal Studios Florida.

The Holiday Wreath Cake is available at the TODAY Cafe in Universal Studios Florida.

When you have all the stamps collected, you can head on over to the Silver Screen Coke kiosk in USF or The Watering Hole in Jurassic Park at IOA and get your redemption prize: a Christmas tree sugar cookie.

# 5 – Earl the Squirrel

One of the best “secrets” at Universal Orlando comes every holiday season, and can be found in the gigantic Christmas tree that is installed at Universal Studios Florida.

Many guests now know the “pro tip” of taking your own picture through a reflection in one of the Christmas bulbs, but not as many know that Earl the Squirrel makes appearances by popping himself out of the tree.

Even better? This year EARL IS WEARING A FACE COVERING!

# 4 – Holiday Tree Hunt

During the “taste” of HHN this fall, guests got to participate in the Scarecrow Stalk and that theme continues with the Holiday Tree Hunt. Here’s how it works: similar to the scavenger hunts at EPCOT like Figment’s Brush with the Masters during Festival of the Arts or Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration during Flower & Garden, guests purchase a Holiday Tree Hunt map ($9.95). The map includes the locations of all the themed trees at locations inside the parks and at Universal CityWalk. Like the treat trail mentioned earlier, at each location your map get can a stamp. There are a lot of trees throughout the resort, and the good news is that Universal will give you the ornament redemption prize even if you haven’t received every stamp. This way you can collect the stamps at your leisure and not have to stress about “getting them all” before the park closes or your vacation ends.

At the Universal Studios store in CityWalk, the tree is loaded with some fun nods to Universal attractions.

One thing I love about the Holiday Tree Hunt is that it gives guests a chance to check out some of Universal’s incredibly themed stores. Whether you buy merchandise or not, the attention to detail in many of these stores will blow your mind. Tons of fun gags and props to check out.

It’s Christmas, you have to have a Grinch tree!

The ornament redemption prize is double sided, and features the Holiday Tree Hunt logo on one side.

With a holiday themed Universal Orlando Resort logo on the other side.

# 3 – This year, the Grinch takes YOUR photo!

Possibly the greatest character at any theme park to interact with is The Grinch during Christmas season at Universal. For most of the year, The Grinch walk around character in the Universal parks is based on the cartoon version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, but during the holiday season the character is based around the Jim Carrey version in the live action remake. This allows The Grinch to be able to use his razor sharp wit while having fun with guests. In previous years, guests would queue up to have their picture taken with The Grinch in Seuss Landing. For social distancing, this year The Grinch takes YOUR photo, and here is how it works…

Instead of standing in a traditional line, guests scan a QR code to make an appointment for their experience. When it’s time, you and your family get to interact with The Grinch.

After a bit of frivolity (along with any requested selfies,) The Grinch will then get behind the store’s camera to “take your picture.”

The Universal Photo Connect app will then have some fun Grinchmas-themed options for you to enjoy.

# 2 – Tribute Store

The Tribute Store for HHN has been a true highlight of recent horror seasons. Filled with rooms packed to the brim with details and merchandise, the Tribute Store is an HHN fan’s dream come true. Out of nowhere, this year’s HHN-themed Tribute Store was almost immediately converted over to a Christmas themed Tribute Store!

Word on the street is that the Visual Merchandising team at Universal spent several months designing this fantastic store for another location in Universal Studios Florida. Over the course of just one week, the entire location was disassembled and moved over to be put back together again to replace the HHN Tribute Store. There is a ton of great merchandise to browse though along with rooms themed to The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, Harry Potter, and even Earl the Squirrel!

 

 

After the return of Wax-A-Matic in the HHN Tribute Store, what a delightful surprise it was two see two more machines in the Christmas Tribute Store. One machine offers molds of Santa Clause.

While the other machine has a snowman mold.

The molds also feature the Universal Studios branding.

One area in the Tribute Store is decked out with posters elements from the tribute store along with a ton of photos from Universal Christmas events from years past.

Who needs a Christmas village display at their house when they can have a Harry Potter village?

Earl the Squirrel’s Tree Farm room is where you can get all the holiday themed snacks!

The HHN Tribute Store had gummy “beating hearts,” and the Christmas Tribute Store has it’s interactive treat too…

 

# 1 – Universal’s Holiday Experience Featuring Macy’s Balloons

One of the highlights at Universal every Christmas season is the great parade they have at USF featuring Macy’s balloons. Think of it as a theme park version of the world famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. With a bit of ingenuity, Universal was able to give guests a version of the “parade” with an experience held inside a soundstage. Guests are able to check out some of the elaborately themed larger-than-life balloons, along with getting social distant pictures of some Universal characters.

Santa is available for photos and socially distant selfies.

HONORABLE MENTION – Food Truck Funnel Cakes

A food truck at Universal Studios Florida has changed its menu over to our beloved funnel cakes, and the results couldn’t be more spectacular.

Fried chicken and funnel cake? We’re IN.

So there you have it: Six Reasons we love Christmas at the Universal Orlando Resort! See you next weekend for the latest installment of the SATURDAY SIX, where we’ll look at something fun from the world of Disney and Universal. If you enjoyed yourself, be sure to check out The Magic, The Memories, and Merch! articles covering the latest from the Disney Outlet Stores. You can also follow Your Humble Author on Twitter (@derekburgan).

If you enjoyed this article, you will surely like the following: 

DAVID & DEREK: The Do’s and Don’ts of COVID-19 Safety Protocols at the Theme Parks

6 Pieces of Disney Merchandise That Don’t Exist (but Totally Should)

SATURDAY SIX Presents: The Disney Signage Hall of Shame

Special Thanks to The Elite Brandon Glover, the bio-est of all reconstructs @bioreconstruct, Captain Cruiseline Scott Sanders of the world famous Disney Cruise Line Blog, my personal protege Hunter “Elvey” Underwood, the SAT SIX Fun Squad of Parkscope Joe and “the Dadalorian” Nick, hot shot Michael Carelli, charter member of the Universal Four @Nitro230, and Hermione Granger’s tutor Megan Stump for their invaluable assistance with this article. The SAT SIX is inspired each week by goofballs Aengus Mackenzie and LitemAndHyde and you Potterheads will  enjoy Meg’s other blog work over at the Central Florida Slug Club.

Next Week:

The 7th Annual

THEME PARK TURKEY OF THE YEAR AWARDS!!!

ARE YOU READY?!!!!

The post The SATURDAY SIX Checks Out CHRISTMAS at the Universal Orlando Resort appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Christmas, CityWalk, Harry Potter, Holidays, Saturday Six, Universal Orlando Resort

 

Yet another day of low wait times at Walt Disney World. Some of those lower waits have come through expanded ride capacity at attractions such as Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Haunted Mansion, The Seas with Nemo and Friends, and Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid.  We received 143 actual wait times in line today.  And it’s the return of the attraction infographics. Let’s do the numbers!

Magic Kingdom Wait Times

Crowds at the park were below average for the last month, with today’s average posted wait times ranking #18 out of the last 30 days. Actual wait times we got at Big Thunder and Buzz Lightyear were less than half of the posted waits.  Actual waits at Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, the Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan’s Flight, and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train were closer to the posted waits.

Hollywood Studios Wait Times

With Runaway Railway’s expanded capacity, Slinky Dog Dash continues to post the highest average wait times in the park.  Actual wait times at Toy Story Mania are still running at about half the posted wait.  And Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster should be re-themed with ABBA.

Rise of the Resistance only had one pause in calling boarding groups today, for about an hour from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Animal Kingdom Wait Times

Actual wait times we got at Kilimanjaro Safaris and Expedition Everest were about half of the posted wait, which is interesting.  Actual waits we measured at Flight of Passage and DINOSAUR were closer to the posted wait.

EPCOT Wait Times

The post More low crowds at all four parks! Walt Disney World wait times for Friday, November 20, 2020 appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Attractions, Trip Planning, Walt Disney World (FL), disney crowds, disney thanksgiving, disney wait times